President Bola Tinubu has recommended Abdullahi Ganduje, the current national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for an ambassadorial position.
Ganduje, who took over as party chairman on August 3, 2023, following Abdullahi Adamu’s resignation, is presently embroiled in a corruption case in Kano, which raises questions about the timing and appropriateness of his nomination for a diplomatic role.
According to Daily Nigerian, President Tinubu initially tasked Senate President Godswill Akpabio with delivering the news to Ganduje. Akpabio reportedly informed Ganduje that the ambassadorial offer was intended to shield him from the ongoing legal proceedings.
Ganduje has been embroiled in controversy since 2018, when videos allegedly showing him accepting bribes surfaced, leading to widespread public condemnation.
He now faces corruption charges totalling over N50 billion, alongside his wife, son, and other associates. However, sources indicate to Daily Nigerian that Ganduje expressed dissatisfaction with the president’s offer, asserting that the charges against him are unfounded.
“Is this the way the president will reward my loyalty? Besides, I am too old to go for ambassadorial posting. All the charges are tissues of lies, and I will win my case in court,” Ganduje reportedly responded to Akpabio.
Sources further revealed that President Tinubu later personally informed Ganduje of the ambassadorial plan, offering him the option to select “any country in Africa.” However, other sources suggest to the newspaper that Ganduje was given the choice between postings in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
A source close to Ganduje disclosed that President Tinubu’s preferred destination for the APC chairman is Chad, where Ganduje previously served as the executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission from 2009 to 2011.
“You know the president is looking for a way to pacify him. This is the reason why he allowed him to choose among the three countries, but the president’s preference is Chad,” the source stated.
Despite this, concerns have been raised about Ganduje’s suitability for an ambassadorial role, especially in light of his bribery scandal.
The source noted, “But the problem is that no serious Asian or European country would overlook Ganduje’s dollar video and corruption charges to accept him as ambassador.”
Meanwhile, Ganduje is reportedly lobbying to retain his current position, seeking support from key political figures, including a former chairman of the ruling party, Chief Bisi Akande. The source added, “But if the worst comes to worst, Ganduje will choose Morocco over Chad.”
In a related development, a letter was sent to Ganduje a few days after President Tinubu communicated the ambassadorial offer. The letter, dated August 9 and signed by the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, informed Ganduje of the president’s approval to conduct the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and mid-term non-elective national convention.
The NEC meeting is scheduled to take place between September 8 and 19, 2024.
“I am directed by the President to inform you that he has granted approval for the scheduling and convening of a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party.”
The President confirmed his availability for the NEC meeting between September 8 and 19, 2024, according to the letter.
When contacted for comment, Ganduje’s spokesman, Edwin Olofu, said he had not been briefed about the ambassadorial posting. However, he confirmed the president’s approval for the NEC meeting and non-elective convention.
“I’m not aware of this, my boss hasn’t briefed me. But I’m aware that the party wrote to the Mr President requesting a date to hold the NEC meeting, and correspondence has been received from the Presidency that 12 September 2024 is approved for the NEC meeting, while the non-elective convention has equally been approved towards the end of the year,” Olofu said.
